The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
WILD ELEPHANT HUNTING.


Iiohi iiuiH per b baZur
The village of Kottiar lies in the center Of
Tambegan bay, on he.northeast coast OF Ceylon and
it was here under tamarind tree which still
stands, that Knox, with his son, Captain Robert
Knox, 1.-THE historian" ani his ships crew. In tho
year 1852 were betrayed by the Kandyans, and
thence carried prisoners to their mountain strong
hold to remain in captivity for period of twenty
years b. order Of Rnlah Singh H.
neat little government rest house for the use OF
travellers, built in tho time of the Dutch occupation
ie close to the landing place and is at present in
charge of piece Of ebony called Mr. Lignum Vita.
small charge is made TO ali who occupy It. to az
sist In delraylng' expenses.
We commenced our journey up river, but NOS
being able 10 obtain sufficient canoes, the to1IIes
had TO walk up the banks, and TO encourage them
through the junges each took II in turn to walk
with them. BY recent heavy rains up country the
river had unfortunately greatly swollen and the
banks In many places were overhown, also, the
surrounding fat country; what were ginaly riyU-
Its running into the Ganga now became flowing
rivers, and our progress, under the circumstances,
was much retarded. Most Of the shallow streams
were got over but many deep and wi 10 ones had to
be crossed and this was done by cutting fairly
straight young tree AMI placing II between the
forks of two Others on either bank, then making q
hand rail of jungle rope, and in this way we had
little difficulty in crossing several of the worst
streams In one instance only the hand rail broke,
prlctpitatiug coolie with cite of our precious
provisions into the running stream. which was Of
couraelost forever and carried away by the current
The cool.e was uckilie saved
Having arrived safe and sound at Kanda Radu
VIC pitched our tent changed into dry clothing fix
ed our camp beds lit roaring fire, roasted the fat
ted calf, and dined truly rural" on the fat Of the
land, and soon retired for the night. Rising curly
next morning from q most refreshing sleep, we
found our truckers already on the alert, also Ved-
dab lone OF the aborigncj or Wild men of the
woods who offered his services, which were accept
In nA
taking with us u fey refreshments, we began our
march after tie rogue VINO Ea1 been reported to
have committed ali sorts Of depredatcns in the
neighborh)0d of late, on could not then be very
far Off he had paid visit during the night to
one OF the villagers gardens not two miles away,
and had torn up nearly all his banana trees
After nearly three hours wading through the jun
gle, with water 1p 10 our waists, we came upon
game, and had only just time TO slip behind one or
Two good trees when the elephant suddenly made
his appearance making straight for us. took the
first shot and giving him the contents ofny l2-boro
rifle ct II PAGES just over the eye he threw up his
head tnried tall and fed, trunpeting, Smashing
ana Ieyeling everything M his headlong career il
was impossible then TO give him second shot.
owing 70 the large volume Of smoke, which would
not rise. the atmosphere being too damp, but we
immediately gave chase, and after most exciting
run Of twenty minutes came upon him again in far
better jungle was again lucky enough to be first
In the field, and with well directed shot, placed
just behind the ear, the ponderons brute toppled
over, dead close 10 jungle palm Alter taking tho
brush we dunk our very good health, and were not
at all sorry for reirsher ater so long and exciting
u chase under the rays oil tropical sun.
TO return 10 our camp. To save time and dis
lance in retracng Steps decided to cross the
river, 80 We sent Off our truckers 70 cut decayed
Jungle trees. Having done this, and brought the
trunks TO the rivers side, we lashed them together
aud IN lde ratand then launched II int0t he river
No sooner had we done so than loud bark and a
splash came from group Of Inangroyes ON the OPP
pOsite side, Nc looked at each otner and all knew
wen what those ominiOus splashes meant; but new
erthelets we lad made up our raft and minds also
~ Cross
The ierTymau, or Kauda Kada, who accompanied
u.s. O. by no means inferior trHetcr, and known to
most spoTtsmen who have travelled in this part OF
the country, was very strong Moor as plucky as
they can DO made ana perfect fish IN the water
Having placed al the guns aud ammunition on tho
raft he boldly plunged Into the river, regardless OF
the ctocodies ana swan across with II and It's con.
1ents IL ihg.gther side andr- hgsrng safefy landed
the cargo brought the ralt back for us. making
noise the while something Ike thu thu 10 drive
away his anphibous friends. Tie eldest member
Of Our party had tbesca OF honor the raft, and
the other two not hklny % he outdOne by the old
ferryman agreed 20 assist their comrado oyeron this
occasion; we plunged fin also IN our hunting at
tire and after some time our minds were set at Test
by touching ground Oh the opposite bank.